Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-05-10
THE POETeSS OF PASSION
fifrl Wpmen-(hiI,lren and Reyynrx

| Tells of Picturesque Cuba and fits Beau
tiful Women-Children and Beggars.
Mrs. Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the poetess,
| who paid "A flying trip 10 Cuba some weeks
ago in search of health and inspiration,
has returned To her native heath with Il
liberal supply Of both and enlarged ideas
On the subject of oranges and cigarettes
Il have had delightful time, she
said, in response 10 a question put 10 her
about the trip. We left New York in a
binding snOwstorm and arrived in Cuba
to find the native women tanning them
selves under the tropical trees airily clad
In the tiimsiest lawns and laces. The
change from winter 10 midsummer WAS
81 rapid that it reminded one of the scenes
changing on a stage"
But what was your opinion Of Ha
yanas''
Il WIS very much charmed with my
first view of the city as We came into port,
from the deck of the Niagara. The sun
shining on the limestone walls Of the
houses gave the illusion that they We're
wrought out Of gold. The sky was a soft,
amber color, and the voices in the distance
sounded musically TO the ear IL was
Just such picture as comes to one in
dreams-as wonderful, at first sight, as
a vision of the celestial city When we
had strulled through the curious streets
and Inhaled the odOrs peculiar 10 the place,
We were satisfied that Havana was any
thing but celestial \ more varied as
sortment Ot smells striving for pre-
eminence ! have never met with before in
my life. The gardens, filled with tropic
plants and fiOweN, Were in blaze Of
glory, and musical with the tinkle U.
fountains
Il found many Of the women very beau
tiful and picturesque. The place where
they congregate is Belote, a very fashion
able bath, where the Havana ladies, soft
eyed and yellow skinned took their morn
ing bath. Some Of them were beautiful
as a dream, with pearly teeth and dark
languorous eyes and undulating forms Of
matchless beauty. Nearly every lady |
saw wore lace mantilla over her head
which only added "A piquant grace TO the
lovely faces that shone out from beneath
the filmy folds.
The beggars of Havana are not the
least interesting Of the many curious
types of people TO be met with in that
city. There seems TO be u larger variety
of cripples than is to he found anywhere
else, and they are all trying 10 sell lottery
tickets They invade the hotels some
times in the midst of a table d'hote. 1t
is not pleasant, you can imagine. to have
"A beggar served up to You at the same
time as the soup. They will linger around
until the walters drive them out with
mild profanity and u flourish of white
napkins
The Cuban children seem to be era
died in the gutter, for 20 where you will
You will find them rolling half nude in
the cutters, some Of them smoking cigar
cites and not unfrequently huge cigars
which they can hardly manage One
thing impressed me very much. and that
Is the way they abuse horses there
think il would be a splendid field of &C
ton for Mr.. Bergh and his associates.
Stunted mules or ponies are compelled 10
bear immense panniers. into which are
crowded enough things to stock a store
On the mountain sits the lazy peddler
smoking and lashing the poor, emaciated
beasts staggering through the dusty
Streets
Did you find everybody smoking in
Havana" Mrs. Wilcox was asked.
Yes. i never saw such a population
Of puffers. All day long the incense from
cigars and cigarettes ascends toward !
heaven. Every one smokes-mothers, |
sons, daughters, babies, patriarchs, morn |
ing, noon and night, at meals and between |
meals, puff! puff! puffr'-New York !
Journal Interview.